Hoei Star Castle clone cocktail ... opinions?

OTTOgd

Member

Donor 2013
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
792
Reaction score
10
Location
'Sauga, Ontario, Canada
Star Castle Hoei clone cocktail ... opinions?

Okay, so I could probably pick this up for $100, 5 minutes from my house, and it supposedly works. I'm not a huge Star Castle fan but the sweet siren call of CL/Kijiji arcade deals is calling my name.

collectors item...originally from japan...got it from my cousin who worked for balley pinball in chicago..works great and its for two players.

'What Would a KLOVer Do?'
 

Attachments

  • 6501e9_20.jpg
    6501e9_20.jpg
    51.6 KB · Views: 121
Last edited:
A KLOVer would post pictures here *after* he already picked up the game.

-Ian
Awww c'mon!

I'm waffling because I just picked up a new pin yesterday and I don't really have a dedicated place for it in my basement so I was hoping to hear some opinions to steer me in the right direction. I shouldn't have a problem selling it after-the-fact, if I get it for $100, I suppose. Or will I?
 
Fine. Unless it gets scooped, I should be grabbing it tonight if it's in decent condition. And I'll post pics. Sheesh.

But it had better be fun!
 
If I was close I would have scooped it and all the Vector guys would be saying great score even if it was just complete and not even working.
 
I am a vector guy and the game would be neat to have. Star Castle cocktails are very very rare, so you could really get away with having this bootleg and the real thing side by side. I have noticed bootleg vectors are actually sought after as much or more than the official versions.
 
Fine. Unless it gets scooped, I should be grabbing it tonight if it's in decent condition. And I'll post pics. Sheesh.

But it had better be fun!

If you don't like it let me know and I'll buy it off of you.
 
Okay, okay, I got it. Geez, you guys are tough. The arcade pron you demanded is below.

So, as luck would have it, it played great in his basement but during the 10 minute ride home, something happened. Power on and it makes that odd "weeeoooweeeoooweeeooo" Star Trekkie background sound and nothing really shows on the screen, darnit. Sometimes it makes an explosion sound first.

I called the guy back and asked if he knew of any peculiar start-up issues and he said he hasn't had any issues with for the last 25 years. Apparently, the game was given to him when he was 15 by his cousin, pinball designer John Popadiuk, when he worked for Bally. I believe him; seemed like a good guy.

I guess I have to give it some TLC before it lets me play.
 

Attachments

  • 100_9071.jpg
    100_9071.jpg
    94.1 KB · Views: 65
  • 100_9076.jpg
    100_9076.jpg
    93.7 KB · Views: 70
  • 100_9079.jpg
    100_9079.jpg
    92.2 KB · Views: 60
  • 100_9080.jpg
    100_9080.jpg
    98.2 KB · Views: 58
  • 100_9073.jpg
    100_9073.jpg
    95.2 KB · Views: 56
He gets a great game and he Breakes it.
Dam.

Do the typical thing with the power off clean collectors press down on chips with support behind the board so you don't crack a trace.

Cross fingers... Good luck.
 
He gets a great game and he Breakes it.
I know, eh. Oh well, it was a good deal.

So, I remember the seller mentioning it hadn't been powered up in years before today so maybe that was its last gasp. I took out the boards for a inspection and most of the larger axial caps have green fuzz on one side and the radials look ... lumpy and fuzzy. I'll wager these have never been changed so that's where I'll start. I may as well do a cap kit on the monitor too.
 

Attachments

  • 100_9086.jpg
    100_9086.jpg
    93.8 KB · Views: 38
  • 100_9087.jpg
    100_9087.jpg
    94.6 KB · Views: 40
  • 100_9091.jpg
    100_9091.jpg
    106.7 KB · Views: 37
  • 100_9092.jpg
    100_9092.jpg
    92.5 KB · Views: 31
  • 100_9096.jpg
    100_9096.jpg
    99.8 KB · Views: 34
Last edited:
Good on ya! Even if it's not working right now, a Star Castle for $100 that looks that good is a find. And if you don't like it, there will definitely be someone here that will.
 
If you do find green on a few cap. I would be trying to replace them all.
That's the plan. I'm putting an order together for GPE today. I actually enjoy doing cap kits and hope that'll bring it back to playing like new. It'll give me time to clean out he game, shine up the CP and possible replace the buttons and stuff. I'll keep you guys posted.

The one thing I was a little disappointed with was the legs. They can't be adjusted higher, like my Warlords CT is, so it can't be played standing up instead of depending on chairs.
 
Maybe some custome space Invader chairs. Would be Nice.

Space-Invader-Chair.jpg


Or maybe this

pacman-chair-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
Those chairs are very cool but my basement is standing room only so I can optimize the use of space.

Soooooo, I made a list of all the caps necessary for the PCB and PS and put the boards back in so my kids don't wreck 'em. And I powered it on for sh!tz 'n' giggles and it works again! Made a video of my wicked Star Castle skillzors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uBb_S21GwA
 
Back
Top Bottom